Information technology auditor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an information technology auditor. Information technology auditors usually study business, accounting, or computer science. 71% of information technology auditors hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,728 real information technology auditor resumes to see exactly what information technology auditor education sections show.

The most common colleges for information technology auditors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online information technology auditor courses to help get the education required to be an information technology auditor.

There are certain information technology auditor certifications that you should consider. These information technology auditor certifications include Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).

What education do you need to become an information technology auditor?

What degree do you need to be an information technology auditor?

The most common degree for information technology auditors is bachelor's degree, with 71% of information technology auditors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 71%

Master's, 18%

Associate, 7%

Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an information technology auditor?

You should major in business to become an information technology auditor. 21% of information technology auditors major in business. Other common majors for an information technology auditor include accounting and computer science.

Business, 21%

Accounting, 17%

Computer Science, 11%

Computer Information Systems, 8%

Other Majors, 43%

Most common colleges for information technology auditors

Information technology auditors often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Houston, and New York University. Here are the most common colleges for information technology auditors in the US based on their resumes.

Information technology auditor common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	14.84%
University of Houston	7.14%
New York University	5.49%
University of Nevada - Las Vegas	5.49%
Strayer University	5.49%

Show more common information technology auditor colleges

Best majors for information technology auditors

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	21.4%
2	Accounting	17.1%
3	Computer Science	11.3%
4	Computer Information Systems	7.8%
5	Information Technology	7.0%

Show more common information technology auditor majors

Best colleges for information technology auditors

The best colleges for information technology auditors are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

An information technology auditor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for information technology auditors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become information technology auditors.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

4. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

5. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

9. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

20 best online courses for information technology auditors

Advertising disclosure

1. Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance

The course is awarded The Best Free Online Courses of All Time, and Best Online Courses of the Year (2021 Edition) by Class Central (http://www.classcentral.com). --- Information systems (IS) are important assets to business organizations and are ubiquitous in our daily lives. With the latest IS technologies emerging, such as Big Data, FinTech, Virtual Banks, there are more concerns from the public on how organizations maintain systems’ integrity, such as data privacy, information security, the...

2. Introduction to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)

4.3

(387)

This course is an overview of the proper processes, controls and tests for adequate internal control...

3. Information Technology Essentials

4.4

(575)

Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...

4. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 3 - Full Study Course

4.6

(266)

Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 3...

5. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring

4.4

(1,188)

Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...

6. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) ITGC Audit Concepts and Coordination

4.4

(3,154)

IT Compliance Training...

7. ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Information security controls

4.5

(770)

Learn about the comprehensive set of information security controls proposed by ISO/IEC 27002:2022...

8. Technology Systems Auditing (Part 1 of 2)

4.6

(1,262)

Technology Systems Auditing Training Course...

9. ISO/IEC 27005:2022. Information security risk management

4.6

(878)

Understand the framework proposed by ISO for managing information security risks in an organization...

10. The Absolute Beginners Guide to Information Technology 2023

4.6

(1,835)

Gain a solid foundation knowledge of all 4 main branches of Information Technology...

11. Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginner)

4.5

(409)

Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginners)...

12. ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Information Security Management System

4.5

(10,956)

Learn how your company can protect its information with an ISMS that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001...

13. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 2 - Full Study Course

4.6

(370)

Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 2...

14. Information Security Management Fundamentals for Non-Techies

4.6

(13,166)

Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security Management for Non-Techies...

15. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)

4.5

(656)

Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...

16. Beginner's Guide to Information Technology

4.5

(357)

Learn the basics of Information Technology and Computer Engineering...

17. Informed Risk Taking: Risk Management Process - Analysis

4.5

(1,247)

Risk Management Strategies : Risk Analysis Techniques : Risk Management Principles : Risk Management Process : Methods...

18. Become an External Auditor - External Audit Process Level 1

4.5

(362)

External Audit Process : Financial Statement Accounting : Business Valuation Methods : Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...

19. ISACA CISM Certified Information Security Manager

(285)

One of the highest paid certifications! Become a Certified Information Security Manager!...

20. Information Security Fundamentals

4.5

(589)

The very basics of Info Sec...

Top 10 most affordable universities for information technology auditors

The most affordable schools for information technology auditors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for information technology auditors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for information technology auditors.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

10. USF St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,821

Cost of attendance

19,849

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for information technology auditors

The hardest universities for information technology auditors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

Some great schools for information technology auditors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for information technology auditors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

8. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for information technology auditors

The easiest schools for information technology auditors to get into are Felician University, notre dame college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an information technology auditor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for information technology auditors.

1. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

2. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

8. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

9. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

10. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

Average information technology auditor salary by education level

Information technology auditors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $89,958 annually. With a Master's degree, information technology auditors earn a median annual income of $87,015 compared to $79,830 for information technology auditors with an Bachelor's degree.

Information technology auditor education level	Information technology auditor salary
Master's Degree	$87,015
Bachelor's Degree	$79,830
Doctorate Degree	$89,958

Information technology auditor education FAQs

What is the best college for Information Technology Auditors?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

Search for information technology auditor jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Zippia Careers
Business and Financial Industry
Information Technology Auditor
Information Technology Auditor Education

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs